Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Garden Muse Day and ABC Wednesday

Today is the first of April, which means it's Garden Muse Day; it's ABC Wednesday; and, it's the first Wednesday of the month which means it's Book Review Day. So what's a girl to do?? I've been so busy this past month and haven't had any time to read any worthwhile book, so I'm afraid I'll have to skip the book review this month. As for Muse Day and ABC Wednesday, I think I have them both covered by combining them:


K is for Kids!


Grandkids, to be exact. Photo taken about 3 years ago when there were only four . . .


I've never been a big fan of e.e. cummings, but the following poem brings back memories of all that spring meant to me as a child. I spent many hours in the swing hanging from a big tree in the yard, and when spring rains flooded the roads, the neighbor kids, my brother, and I would enjoy the "puddle wonderful" world.

in Just-
by e. e. cummings
in Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it's
spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer
old balloonman whistles
far and wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing
from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's
spring
and
the
goat-footed

balloonMan whistles

far
and
wee


. . . And now there are five!

.............................................................................


I took a walk around my garden before leaving Tuesday morning to check on the garden's progress. I had also hoped to find a plant that began with K for the ABC post today, but no such luck. There are no Kerria japonica, Kalmia, Kniphofia, Kolwitzia, or even a Kumquat tree in my garden. But I did notice one plant that I've never mentioned here before and thought some of you might be interested in this one.



Forkius Plasticus, planted here in the front porch planter as well as in various containers. These are very easy to grow and an excellent companion plant for showier flowers. While you won't find them in most nurseries or catalogues, they are available in supermarkets, discount stores, or dollar stores.


Some basic growing facts:
  • Hardiness: All zones
  • Height: 5-6"; width 1"
  • Light: sun to full shade
  • Soil: adapts to any soil conditions
  • Planting depth: 1"; space 2-4" apart
  • Colors: available in many colors (I prefer the black, but my frugal side prompted me to buy this silver/transparent variety)
  • Bloom time: early June to frost, when they are covered with pink or fuschia geranium, purple or pink wave petunia, cherry pink profusion zinnia, or a host of other lovely blooms.

The forkius plasticus is an excellent plant for cat lovers or those with wandering neighbor cats. They can be planted anywhere but are especially effective in containers which cats might mistake for a napping spot or, worse yet, a litter box.**

Garden Muse Day is brought to you the first of each month by the creative Carolyn Gail, and ABC Wednesday is brought to you each week by the indomitable Mrs. Nesbitt.

**Oh, yes, and I hope you all also have a Happy April Fools' Day!

35 comments:

  1. Forkius plasticus...... That was a real funny April Fool!

    Lovely grandchildren.

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  2. Ha funny on the forks! Nice 'plant' that looks to not require watering! The grandkids are adorable.

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  3. Lovely kids!

    Forkius plasticus - now that is something I might actually be able to grow! And it would keep George off. What am I saying: george would eat them.

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  4. Tee hee! Of course Forkius plasticus is a must have plant as it will support all those other lovely blooms you'll have in your garden later in the year!

    I'm sending some Kerria japonica your way - it's just getting into it's stride. I hope you like the double form :)

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  5. Hi Rose, happy April first from mud-
    luscious northern Illinois. I think it's still to cold to plant forks here.

    Lovely children that's a great portrait!

    An excellent idea for cat deterrent. Humane and I hope effective.
    Marnie

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  6. Oh Rose, aren't you funny!!! Very cute!

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  7. Rose, hope you are having a great time! Give all my love-even the grand dogs. :)

    Great pictures of the grand kids-my how they have grown. You will have to introduce them to the 'puddle wonderful' world.

    On of course, I have always liked your forklus plasticus. Maybe we can find the black variety this year.

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  8. Too bad it wasn't Knificus Plasticus, cause then it would all be K!!! Your grandkids are cute--are any of them in AZ? Hope you're having fun there, but what am i saying? of course you are!!

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  9. Hi to everyone, and thanks for stopping by. The forkius plasticus is a very effective way--and definitely humane--to discourage cats from using my planters as litter boxes. Definitely beats hot sauce or other not so friendly suggestions.

    I'm here in sunny Arizona visiting the other "grandkids"/granddogs. Internet access is sporadic,and Daughter has lots of things planned for us, so rather than reply to each of you, I'll try to visit you when I can. 80 degrees here today!

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  10. Hee hee! I remember the Rabbits last year, and thought I'd pop over to see what mischief you were up too. I wasn't disappointed!!

    Beautiful children.

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  11. Cute grandkids! How nice of them to pose for you. That's a nice crop of forks you've got coming on. I can't seem to keep forks in my garden, the squirrels keep breaking them. Happy April Fools Day!

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  12. Dear Rose....I knew you would come up with something for April Fool....I am smiling from ear to ear.....I may try those in the garden as they seem quite easy....do they increase each year and do you have to divide them??

    Grandchildren are beautiful.....what a lovely family you have......

    Bet it is lovely and warm??

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  13. Thank you for your wonderful post...so much fun and your grandkids are lovely. Thanks for sharing and have a great day.
    Smiles

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  14. How clever of you to combine your ABC Wednesday and GBMD posts - now why didn't I think of that ! Great poem and you have have a great sense of humour Rose :) Thank you for making me laugh.

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  15. Funny, Rose! I'm afraid our cats are so used to begging from the table they would think the forks meant dinnertime. Your GKs are adorable. Enjoy your visit, funny lady!

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  16. Cute grandkids! Perfect spring poem. I can imagine the kiddies puddle hopping. I hope you come back for book review day next month. Funny prank.

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  17. Gorgeous grandchildren, Rose. Love the e.e. cummings poem. He is a bit out there for some but I've always found him interesting.

    Great April Fool's joke.

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  18. I'm sort of on the fence about e.e. cummings - it seems to depend on my mood - but I did enjoy this poem very much. Really captures the excitement of spring arriving when you're a kid :)

    That is a very unique plant. I have been starting a (very small) container garden, and these seem perfectly suited for it. Perhaps I'll check for some at the nursery ;)

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  19. Oh! I also wanted to say that you have beautiful grandchildren :)

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  20. By now you showed be in sunny Arizona!! WELCOME!!smiles NG

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  21. OMG, I'm laughing so hard! The funny part is that I recently read that the forkius plasticus would deter cats and I have hordes of the feral things around here that destroy my garden and my sleep...but I decided to use citrus rinds...see how that works - I do have some forkii (plural) in case the citrus peel fails. Thanks for a great laugh and lovely photos.

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  22. Great post Rose. Iknow you are enjoying your Grands. Love the forkius. I mean even I could grow them.

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  23. I really enjoyed the double hit - alphabets and poems. That particular ee cummings poem is a particular favorite of mine although there there have been years when the muddy roads have been anything but luscious.

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  24. Dear Rose,
    LOL!!
    You are so fun!
    Happy Fools' Day.
    I think Forkius Plasticus is an excellent way to keep the cats out!
    Have fun with those darling grandkids.
    Sherry

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  25. What a fun post....love the words "mud-luscious" and "puddle-wonderful" and photos of the grandkids made for a sweet, delicious icing on the post. Forkius plasticus really made me laugh.

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  26. Hi Rose, well, I didn't "get it" until I read the comments. Forkius plasticus indeed! That was a good joke!
    Your grandkids look so sweet. Time sure flies!!!
    Happy Spring. Looking forward to real flower pics! LOL!

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  27. Ha! You are too funny Rose! :) That is a clever way to keep the kitties from using your garden as a public restroom. :)

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  28. Hi Rose, hope you are enjoying your time with family and the warmth of Arizona. You might even be on your way home by now. I love the forks, more threatening than the spoons! I use rosemary stalks with the same results, but have plenty of that to use. The smell seems to repel all diggers. Lovely grands. :-)
    Frances

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  29. love the cat keeper away forks. very funny and practical.

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  30. I hope you're having a wonderful time! Your grands are beautiful...really! Can't wait to hear about your trip~~Gail

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  31. Now those are 'KUTE KIDS', Rose :) Hope you're having a wonderful vacation (did I mention that Mr. Ho-Hum played football at U of A ~ the only time in AZ but I remember the beauty and heat ... fried an egg on the sidewalk :)

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  32. Lol! I think that you have a very wicked sense of humour!

    I have a pot just outside the back door, in the sun, which I keep clear of flowers, so that my cats can sleep in it. It can be a bit of problem, though, as I have 3 cats!

    A very clever post and love the photos as always.

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  33. I love Forkius Plasticus!! Such vibrant color!

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  34. Thanks to everyone for your comments. We arrived home late last night, and I hope to be able to get up a post soon and to catch up with all of you over the next few days.

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  35. The fork idea is fabulous! I use plastic ware to mark my seeds too!
    Happy spring - can't wait to stop back soon.

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